How to make a hard day easier? VA PER-SYD-PER same day

[Glider_]

Hi All,

Just after any travel tips you can offer to make the best of a bad situation.

I live in Perth and my Grandma lives in a nursing home in Sydney. She had a fall and things aren't looking great so I'm going to go visit her this weekend in case this is the end. I can only be away for a day, so I've booked VA Elevate tickets for this Saturday on the 5:45am PER-SYD flight arriving 1pm, will visit her direct from the airport, then PER-SYD at 7pm that night. It's going to be a terrible day.

Anyway, in regards to the logistics, it's been a long while since I flew domestic but I do recall trans-con economy isn't the most fun experience, and I don't know what VA currently have on offer other than the complaint threads on here. Any pro tips would be appreciated. I have the usual noise-cancelling headphones and neck pillow setup, but I read that entertainment is via wi-fi onto my own device? Is this reliable? Are there power points to keep your device going for the 5hr flight? Do the seats even recline anymore? Do I need to eat before the flights?

Is lounge access available at a reasonable cost? I see you can bid to upgrade to business class for each sector but at $300+ each it's too much for me, especially since the flights already cost me $700+.

Getting out of the airport, I saw on OzBargain today a 20% off code for Uber for trips from Sydney Airport. I haven't actually used Uber before but I'm willing to give it a crack if it's good and saves me some time and money. Going to the Sutherland Shire, I don't think there's a train station within walking distance and time is critical. Is Uber my best bet?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Unfortunately for both those flights you will be on a B737.
There are exit row seats with extra legroom in rows 13 and 14.
Seats in row 12 & 13 won't recline due to the exit row behind them and this can't be unlocked on VA as it can be on QF.
On the way over seats 13 A,B&F and 14 C&D are still available. If you choose 13A there is a chance 13B could remain empty.
On the way back, seats 13D&E and 14AB&C are available. 14A would be a good choice as it reclines and 14B might remain empty.
However both flights seem well booked so any empty seats might be allocated at check in.

I don't know the current cost for VA exit row seats.

The streaming entertainment over wifi to your own device is reliable if limited, but you need to install the app before you board the aircraft.
There are no power points as there is no seatback IFE so no wiring to the seats.

You can purchase one-off lounge entry for $65 - this has to be done at the lounge no more than 2 hours prior to departure.
Which means 1.5 hours prior to boarding. So that's the maximum time you will be able to enjoy the lounge access.
Or you could purchase a voucher online for 10,000 points which is not good value IMHO.

Uber is great but I think there is a new airport pick up fee which you must pay unless you walk off site and arrange for the driver to pick you up there.

 

[Blackswan]

Unfortunately for both those flights you will be on a B737.
There are exit row seats with extra legroom in rows 13 and 14.
Seats in row 12 & 13 won't recline due to the exit row behind them and this can't be unlocked on VA as it can be on QF.
Seats 13 A,B&F and 14 C&D are still available. If you choose 13A there is a chance 13B could remain empty.
I don't know the current cost for VA exit row seats.

The entertainment is reliable but you need to install the app before you board the aircraft.
There are no power points.

You can purchase one-off lounge entry for $65 - this has to be done at the lounge no more than 2 hours prior to departure.
Which means 1.5 hours prior to boarding.
Or you could purchase a voucher online for 10,000 points which is not good value IMHO.

Uber is great but I think there is a new airport pick up fee which you must pay unless you walk off site and arrange for the driver to pick you up there.

Ozbargain has a discount code for SYD pickups at the moment - 20% off
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/268668

 

[Glider_]

Thanks very much, lots of good info in there.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Thanks very much, lots of good info in there.

Just a bump as I have edited my original reply to include a little more info.